Welcome to Positive Disintegration, the Newsletter!

We're adding the written word to our offerings on Substack

Welcome to the Positive Disintegration Newsletter! When I first created this account on Substack in early 2021, I planned to share writing here, but meeting Emma that summer changed my course. We ended up using the account for our podcast, and I kept my plans for sharing writing with the public on hold until now.

For the past several years, I’ve been gathering material to write books about my experiences studying and working with Dąbrowski’s theory. The first one will be about coming to the theory of positive disintegration, meeting Dr. Michael M. Piechowski, and getting to know him as a friend and mentor. In fact, I’ve spent the past several months trying to get into a writing groove to produce that book.

But this summer, it’s become clear to me that before I am ready to finish, I need to do some briefer pieces for the public here on Substack. That’s why I’m introducing this newsletter. Emma and I both have so much to say about positive disintegration, neurodivergence, values, and what we’ve learned from our work together thus far. We plan to use this space to expand on what we’ve shared on the podcast.

When I first came to the theory, I’d spent over two decades thinking of myself as mentally ill. It’s been a long process of overcoming self-stigma and reframing my understanding of myself through the non-pathologizing lens of positive disintegration. I’ve struggled mightily to share my writing online, and even participating on social media has been difficult because of lingering self-doubt.

Another personal struggle for me has been charging for my work. This newsletter will be a paid subscription, which is something I’ve resisted until now. While there will be some free posts, such as this one, the majority will be behind a paywall because I need to allow people to compensate me for my work. As much as I’d love to give everything away to those who need it, that’s unsustainable over the long term.

However, I want to ensure that everyone who needs this information has access. If you are a subscriber with financial means, please consider subsidizing comped accounts. You can donate here through the Dabrowski Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you need a gift subscription, please send an email with your request to chris@dabrowskicenter.org.

Doing the podcast with Emma propelled me into the public work I’d been afraid to do, allowing me to finally find the courage to share the things I wanted to share with our listeners and followers. I’m enthusiastic about using this platform to share my writing and research, and I feel deeply grateful for this opportunity to connect with our audience.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Warmly,

Chris

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